Staff Profile: Hollie Clarke, FS2 Teacher

Staff Profile: Hollie Clarke, FS2 Teacher Each week we will feature a member of staff across all areas of the school including teachers, admin staff, support staff and more, to get to know members of our school family a little better. Our profile this week is Hollie Clarke, a FS2 Teacher.  Each week we will feature a member of staff across all areas of the school including teachers, admin staff, support staff and more, to get to know members of our school family a little better. Our profile this week is Hollie Clarke, a FS2 Teacher. 

I am from a city in England called Leicester. You might have heard of our football team winning the Premier League a few years ago - it was the fairytale win! Leicester is in the middle of England and whilst it has lots of beautiful green countryside, the closest coastal town is over 2 hours away. I remember, from a young age, saying that I dreamed of living closer to the sea and when I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2018 that wish came true.

Growing up I was very lucky to have parents and grandparents who loved to travel. Our holidays were never spent by the pool, but instead there was always lots fun on road trips with my older brother as we explored new places. 

I completed my BA (Hons) in Primary Education at Birmingham City University, before I went on to teach in a small village primary school and then a large city infants’ school. Whilst I was teaching in England, I met my husband Matt who shared my travel bug and only a month after we were married, we packed our bags and moved to Abu Dhabi in search of our latest adventure. Since we arrived, we have had the opportunities to travel to amazing places such as Sri Lanka and Vietnam, but we have also really enjoyed living life in the beautiful sunshine. 

Some of my most treasure memories are from my own time at school, particularly my primary years and this one of main reasons I went into teaching. I wanted to help children to have a wonderful school experience, where they felt safe, happy and they could develop their confidence. I always tell my FS2 Panda Class that I am proud of them and if they keep trying their best, their brains will keep growing and growing. They are very excited for their brains to be GINORMOUS by the time they reach Year 1 and I hope this enthusiasm for learning and positive self-belief stays with them on the rest of their educational journey. 

Hollie Clarke